[Aaron Draper Shattuck] 1860s

This carte-de-visite, a popular format of portrait photography in the 19th century, captures Aaron Draper Shattuck, likely a prominent figure of the time, in a seated pose. Taken by renowned photographer George Gardner Rockwood, known for his sharp detail and natural lighting, the image showcases the subject’s attire and expressions. Rockwood, active from 1858 to 1911, contributed significantly to the development of early portrait photography. The small format of the carte-de-visite allowed for easy sharing and collection, making it an important cultural phenomenon of the 19th century.